[80], With regard to a December religious feast of the deified Sun (Sol), as distinct from a solstice feast of the birth (or rebirth) of the astronomical sun, Hijmans has commented that "while the winter solstice on or around December 25 was well established in the Roman imperial calendar, there is no evidence that a religious celebration of Sol on that day antedated the celebration of Christmas". People displayed nativity scenes and crèches. For some, Christmas is an exclusive family affair, while others invite friends to a Christmas buffet or pot luck meal. As this implies a birth in December, it is sometimes claimed to be the earliest identification of December 25 as the nativity. Part 12: Commemorations of the Martyrs. Each week of its stay at number one, the video was shown on Top of the Pops. Prior to and through the early Christian centuries, winter festivals were the most popular of the year in many European pagan cultures. In the U.S. and Canada, where the use of the term "Holidays" is most prevalent, opponents have denounced its usage and avoidance of using the term "Christmas" as being politically correct. Christmas Day, on December 25, is one of the most festive Christian holidays in many countries around the world. Here's a chart that shows what day of the week that Christmas is celebrated from 2017 - 2029. [27] Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving; completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath; Christmas music and caroling; viewing a Nativity play; an exchange of Christmas cards; church services; a special meal; and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. alone. For example, the druids of Gaul regarded mistletoe growing on oak trees as sent from heaven. The prevailing atmosphere of Christmas has also continually evolved since the holiday's inception, ranging from a sometimes raucous, drunken, carnival-like state in the Middle Ages,[91] to a tamer family-oriented and children-centered theme introduced in a 19th-century transformation. [95] The Plymouth Pilgrims put their loathing for the day into practice in 1620 when they spent their first Christmas Day in the New World working – thus demonstrating their complete contempt for the day. Christmas 2019. Hong Kong); in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Government offices, educational institutions, many businesses and post offices are closed on this day. "[82], In 1743, German Protestant Paul Ernst Jablonski argued Christmas was placed on December 25 to correspond with the Roman solar holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and was therefore a "paganization" that debased the true church. [232] In the U.S. there has been a tendency to replace the greeting Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays, which is considered inclusive at the time of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah,[233] Kwanzaa, and Humanlight. Christmas, Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. [19], Although the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown, the church in the early fourth century fixed the date as December 25. [70] This cult was established by Aurelian in 274. [104], Saint Nicholas traditionally appeared in bishop's attire, accompanied by helpers, inquiring about the behaviour of children during the past year before deciding whether they deserved a gift or not. [23][59] Another scholar writes that "the cult of the Sun in pagan Rome ironically did not celebrate the winter solstice nor any of the other quarter-tense days, as one might expect". [193], A special Christmas family meal is traditionally an important part of the holiday's celebration, and the food that is served varies greatly from country to country. "[64] Moreover, Thomas J. Talley holds that the Roman Emperor Aurelian placed a festival of Sol Invictus on December 25 in order to compete with the growing rate of the Christian Church, which had already been celebrating Christmas on that date first. In eastern Europe also, old pagan traditions were incorporated into Christmas celebrations, an example being the Koleda,[101] which was incorporated into the Christmas carol. In these solemnities and revelries, the Christians also took part. The December Full Moon is called the Cold Moon, Long Nights Moon, the Moon before Yule, Oak Moon, and Wolf Moon. The traditional greeting reads "wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year", much like that of the first commercial Christmas card, produced by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843. Christmas has also become a secular family holiday that is observed by Christians and non-Christians, is marked by the exchange of gifts, and features the mythical figure of Santa Claus. [5], However, other Orthodox Christians, such as those belonging to the jurisdictions of Constantinople, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Antioch, Alexandria, Albania, Cyprus, Finland, and the Orthodox Church in America, among others, began using the Revised Julian calendar in the early 20th century, which at present corresponds exactly to the Gregorian calendar. Part 12: Commemorations of the Martyrs", "Poll: In a changing nation, Santa endures". [63], Conversely, according to Steven Hijmans of the University of Alberta, "It is cosmic symbolism ... which inspired the Church leadership in Rome to elect the southern solstice, December 25, as the birthday of Christ, and the northern solstice as that of John the Baptist, supplemented by the equinoxes as their respective dates of conception. [147] During the 1920s, '30s, and '40s, the League of Militant Atheists encouraged school pupils to campaign against Christmas traditions, such as the Christmas tree, as well as other Christian holidays, including Easter; the League established an antireligious holiday to be the 31st of each month as a replacement. [78], In 221, Sextus Julius Africanus (c. 160 – c. 240) gave March 25 as the day of creation and of the conception of Jesus in his universal history. Other deadweight losses include the effects of Christmas on the environment and the fact that material gifts are often perceived as white elephants, imposing cost for upkeep and storage and contributing to clutter. The calculation hypothesis was proposed by French writer Louis Duchesne in 1889. [117], In Colonial America, the Pilgrims of New England shared radical Protestant disapproval of Christmas. (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies Christmas Eve and Christmas Day church services often came to feature Nativity plays, as did schools and theatres. A number of nations have issued commemorative stamps at Christmastide. [citation needed], The songs now known specifically as carols were originally communal folk songs sung during celebrations such as "harvest tide" as well as Christmas. [103] Following the Parliamentarian victory over Charles I during the English Civil War, England's Puritan rulers banned Christmas in 1647. In the same year employment in American retail stores rose from 1.6 million to 1.8 million in the two months leading up to Christmas. [140] By 1860, fourteen states including several from New England had adopted Christmas as a legal holiday. [citation needed], Christmas is typically a peak selling season for retailers in many nations around the world. Date of Christmas Because the Bible does not state the date of Jesus Christ birth, there are many theories on the date for Christmas like Jesus chose to be born on December 25 which is the winter solstice (shortest day of year) so that each day after would be longer in length and more light from the sun would occur each progressive day. By Patrick McLennan. [38] "Noel" (or "Nowel") entered English in the late 14th century and is from the Old French noël or naël, itself ultimately from the Latin nātālis (diēs) meaning "birth (day)".[39]. [65], Mishna Avodah Zarah 8a.5: And these are the festivals of the slaves of the stars: Kalenda, Saturnalia, and Kratesis, and the day of the festival of their kings, and the birthday of the king, and the anniversary of the day of the death of the king. A 2010 survey by LifeWay Christian Resources found that six in ten Americans attend church services during this time. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the son of God. [240] In December 2018, officials raided Christian churches just prior to Christmastide and coerced them to close; Christmas trees and Santa Clauses were also forcibly removed.[241][242]. [71][72] In modern times, March 25 is celebrated as Annunciation. "Corde natus ex Parentis" ("Of the Father's love begotten") by the Spanish poet Prudentius (d. 413) is still sung in some churches today. Tuesday, 1st December 2020 at 4:33 pm. The calculation hypothesis suggests that an earlier holiday held on March 25 became associated with the Incarnation. and P'ent'ay (Ethiopian-Eritrean Evangelical) Churches (primary date), Most Protestants (P'ent'ay/Evangelicals) in the diaspora have the option of choosing the Ethiopian calendar (Tahsas 29/January 7) or the Gregorian calendar (December 25) for religious holidays, with this option being used when the corresponding eastern celebration is not a public holiday in the western world (with most diaspora Protestants celebrating both days). [3][62], In the 17th century, Isaac Newton, who, coincidentally, was born on December 25, argued that the date of Christmas may have been selected to correspond with the solstice. Christmas is coming, so what better way of getting into the festive spirit than by waking up to a blanket of snow outside your window. The Scandinavian tomte (also called nisse) is sometimes depicted as a gnome instead of Santa Claus. is a song written in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in reaction to television reports of the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The Movie Was Filmed in Canada, Not Chicago On the 12th Date of Christmas was filmed in Canada, including in Winnipeg, Manitoba, according to IMDb.Although the movie takes place in … [223], Christmas has at times been the subject of controversy and attacks from various sources. REVIEW POTPOURRI: Christmas classics Wreaths Across America No one knows for sure the exact date of the birth of Jesus, but it’s still Christmas OBITUARIES for Thursday, December 17, 2020 Vassalboro resident seeks to ", "Why do Amish celebrate "Old" Christmas? "[116] The diary of James Woodforde, from the latter half of the 18th century, details the observance of Christmas and celebrations associated with the season over a number of years. Postal customers will often use these stamps to mail Christmas cards, and they are popular with philatelists. Why do many countries set the clocks back and forth an hour twice a year? The Bible does not give the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it say that we should celebrate his birthday. But the medieval calendar was dominated by Christmas-related holidays. However, part of the Eastern Christian Churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned Emperor on Christmas Day in 800. [209][210] It is worth noting that across all of Poland, St Nicholas is the gift giver on the Saint Nicholas Day on December 6. [217] Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that expenditure in department stores nationwide rose from $20.8 billion in November 2004 to $31.9 billion in December 2004, an increase of 54 percent. [37] In Old English, Gēola (Yule) referred to the period corresponding to December and January, which was eventually equated with Christian Christmas. [3] Crīst (genitive Crīstes) is from Greek Khrīstos (Χριστός), a translation of Hebrew Māšîaḥ (מָשִׁיחַ), "Messiah", meaning "anointed";[29][30] and mæsse is from Latin missa, the celebration of the Eucharist. Historically it was prohibited by Puritans when they briefly held power in England (1647–1660), and in Colonial America where the Puritans outlawed the celebration of Christmas in 1659. The Moravians in Bethlehem had the first Christmas trees in America as well as the first Nativity Scenes. Mikołaj, Gwiazdor, Aniołek, Dzieciątko czy może Dziadek Mróz? [112], The Restoration of King Charles II in 1660 ended the ban, but many Calvinist clergymen still disapproved of Christmas celebration. It celebrates Jesus' birth. [citation needed], The singing of carols initially suffered a decline in popularity after the Protestant Reformation in northern Europe, although some Reformers, like Martin Luther, wrote carols and encouraged their use in worship. At the Reformation in 16th–17th-century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child or Christkindl, corrupted in English to Kris Kringle, and the date of giving gifts changed from December 6 to Christmas Eve. The gospels of Luke and Matthew describe Jesus as being born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary. 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown is back for a 2020 festive special - here's when it's on TV and who's on the line up. [74] Tertullian (d. 220), who lived in Latin-speaking North Africa, gives the date of passion celebration as March 25. Nicholas was a 4th-century Greek bishop of Myra, a city in the Roman province of Lycia, whose ruins are 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from modern Demre in southwest Turkey. All the major events of Christ's life, especially the passion, were celebrated on this date. There are 363 days until Christmas Day. [98][97] Often leading a ghostly procession through the sky (the Wild Hunt), the long-bearded god Odin is referred to as "the Yule one" and "Yule father" in Old Norse texts, while other gods are referred to as "Yule beings". [200][201] The practice of gift giving in the Roman celebration of Saturnalia may have influenced Christian customs, but on the other hand the Christian "core dogma of the Incarnation, however, solidly established the giving and receiving of gifts as the structural principle of that recurrent yet unique event", because it was the Biblical Magi, "together with all their fellow men, who received the gift of God through man's renewed participation in the divine life."[202]. The mistletoe is a commonly used Christmas decoration. In the early 19th century, Christmas festivities and services became widespread with the rise of the Oxford Movement in the Church of England that emphasized the centrality of Christmas in Christianity and charity to the poor,[49] along with Washington Irving, Charles Dickens, and other authors emphasizing family, children, kind-heartedness, gift-giving, and Santa Claus (for Irving),[50] or Father Christmas (for Dickens). Matthew adds that the magi follow a star to Bethlehem to bring gifts to Jesus, born the king of the Jews. King Edmund the Martyr was anointed on Christmas in 855 and King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day 1066. [163] In certain parts of the world, notably Sicily, living nativity scenes following the tradition of Saint Francis are a popular alternative to static crèches. The Chronograph of 354 records that a Christmas celebration took place in Rome in 336, eight days before the calends of January. The date of December 25 is also close to the date of winter solstice which was celebrated in many European pagan cultures. How does the 12-hour clock system work? [18] When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then further disseminated the information. "This Christmas" is a song by American soul musician Donny Hathaway released in 1970 by Atco Records. [177] The Christmas tree is considered by some as Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship;[178] according to eighth-century biographer Æddi Stephanus, Saint Boniface (634–709), who was a missionary in Germany, took an ax to an oak tree dedicated to Thor and pointed out a fir tree, which he stated was a more fitting object of reverence because it pointed to heaven and it had a triangular shape, which he said was symbolic of the Trinity. Images of Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, snowmen, reindeer, and candy canes are seen in cards, posters, signs and other printed or marketing material associated with the Christmas celebrations. Film studios release many high-budget movies during the holiday season, including Christmas films, fantasy movies or high-tone dramas with high production values to hopes of maximizing the chance of nominations for the Academy Awards. Correspondence between Julian January 6 and Gregorian January 19 holds until 2100; in the following century the difference will be one day more. [citation needed], However, there is also a small Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which maintains the traditional Armenian custom of celebrating the birth of Christ on the same day as Theophany (January 6), but uses the Julian calendar for the determination of that date. Release date 'It's Christmas All Over' is set to release worldwide on October 30, 2020. Similar legislation was approved in Scotland with the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007. ", "At Armenian Churches, a Distinct Observance Today", "10 things to do over Christmas in the Holy Land", "The Global Religious Landscape | Christians", "Christmas Strongly Religious For Half in U.S. Who Celebrate It", "Non-Christians focus on secular side of Christmas", "The Chronography of 354 AD. Carols largely survived in rural communities until the revival of interest in popular songs in the 19th century. Churches have special services and may include a crèche or miniature Nativity scene. [109], However, in 17th century England, some groups such as the Puritans, strongly condemned the celebration of Christmas, considering it a Catholic invention and the "trappings of popery" or the "rags of the Beast". [48] The book, The Vindication of Christmas (London, 1652), argued against the Puritans, and makes note of Old English Christmas traditions, dinner, roast apples on the fire, card playing, dances with "plow-boys" and "maidservants", old Father Christmas and carol singing. The pre-Christian Germanic peoples—including the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse—celebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in the late December to early January period, yielding modern English yule, today used as a synonym for Christmas. [216], In most Western nations, Christmas Day is the least active day of the year for business and commerce; almost all retail, commercial and institutional businesses are closed, and almost all industries cease activity (more than any other day of the year), whether laws require such or not. / For then we scarcely did it know, / Whether it Christmas were or no. Christmas Day falls on December 25 and is an occasion for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Rowell, Geoffrey, "Dickens and the Construction of Christmas". The scribe who added it wrote: "It was a custom of the Pagans to celebrate on the same 25 December the birthday of the Sun, at which they kindled lights in token of festivity. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. [56] Christmas was promoted in the East as part of the revival of Orthodox Christianity that followed the death of the pro-Arian Emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. Around AD 200, Clement of Alexandria wrote: There are those who have determined not only the year of our Lord's birth, but also the day; and they say that it took place in the 28th year of Augustus, and in the 25th day of [the Egyptian month] Pachon [May 20] ... Further, others say that He was born on the 24th or 25th of Pharmuthi [April 20 or 21]. One translation reads: "O the splendid and divine providence of the Lord, that on that day, the very day, on which the sun was made, March 28, a Wednesday, Christ should be born. [67], Gemara 8a.7: With regard to the dates of these festivals, the Sages taught: When Adam the first man saw that the day was progressively diminishing, as the days become shorter from the autumnul equinox until the winter solstice, he did not yet know that this is a normal phenomenon, and therefore he said: Woe is me; perhaps because I sinned the world is becoming dark around me and will ultimately return to the primordial state of chaos and disorder. With the atheistic Cult of Reason in power during the era of Revolutionary France, Christian Christmas religious services were banned and the three kings cake was renamed the "equality cake" under anticlerical government policies. [91], Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival that incorporated ivy, holly, and other evergreens. [32], In addition to "Christmas", the holiday has been known by various other names throughout its history. It it also possible that the celebration of the birth of the “true light of the world” was set at the time of the December solstice because this is when the days in the northern hemisphere begin to grow longer. The forty days before Christmas became the "forty days of St. Martin" (which began on November 11, the feast of St. Martin of Tours), now known as Advent. Multiple gift-giver figures exist in Poland, varying between regions and individual families. How many days until Christmas Day. The Christmas tree was rare. Corinna Laughlin, Michael R. Prendergast, Robert C. Rabe, Corinna Laughlin, Jill Maria Murdy, Therese Brown, Mary Patricia Storms, Ann E. Degenhard, Jill Maria Murdy, Ann E. Degenhard, Therese Brown, Robert C. Rabe, Mary Patricia Storms, Michael R. Prendergast. The transformation was accomplished with the aid of notable contributors including Washington Irving and the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840–1902). 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Invite friends to a Christmas celebration took place in Rome on December 25, AD 336 City 's non-English....
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